It seems unlikely that a country with a smaller population than Connecticut could challenge the United States on basketball’s international stage. But that is exactly what Lithuania plans on doing. Runner-up in the 2013 European Championship and Jerry Garcia’s favorite national team, Lithuania will be a medal contender in the inaugural 2014 Basketball World Cup and could pose as Team USA’s lone threat on the road to the championship game. “The Other Dream Team” will be playing without its leader Linas Kleiza,
Tweet of the Day: France Wins EuroBasket Championship
France has won the EuroBasket title for the first time in its history, defeating Lithuania 80-66 today. Spurs star Tony Parker led his country to the EuroBasket championship and won tournament MVP for France after 12 points and 3 assists in the game. Blazers forward Nicolas Batum led France in scoring with 17 points and added 6 boards while Spurs forward Boris Diaw added 15 for the winners. Former Raptors forward Linas Kleiza led Lithuania with 20 points, Mantas Kalnietis added 19 points
Eurobasket ’13 Group B Preview
Group B Likely to advance 1. Lithuania One of the most fully loaded squads in his year’s Eurobasket, the Lithuanian squad is poised to be one of the juggernauts of this year’s competition. Veteran point guard Sarunas Jasikevicus will be sitting this one out, but the Grateful Dead’s favorite European basketball team will be a force to be reckoned with. Starting with Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas, the Lithuanians will be loaded with horses in the paint. Valanciunas had a solid rookie season, but seems
Mighty Moke’s Top 25 Remaining NBA Free Agents — July 17 Update
Mike Miller If you had a nickel for each time you read the word “amnesty” since July 1, you would probably have as much money as Chris Paul. The good news today, though, is that you will not have to be overly concerned with the 2011 CBA’s amnesty provision until next summer. By rule, an NBA team that wishes to waive a player via the amnesty clause must do so within the first seven days that immediately follow the
Evening News: Pistons make offer for Rondo; Raptors amnesty Kleiza; Kidd pleads guilty
Hello and welcome to the Evening News. As free agency continues, we’ll keep you updated every evening. What’s happening today? [Read more…]
Amnesty Day: Heat waive Miller, Raptors drop Kleiza
After saying he would not use his amnesty provision, Heat president Pat Riley changed his mind and used the one-time clause on Mike Miller, saving owner Micky Arison millions in luxury tax. Tuesday was the last day for teams to waive a player via the amnesty provision, and Riley chose to let go of Miller and his $6.2 million salary. In a statement, he indicated that he tried to find a taker for Miller in a trade but was unsuccessful. “After many
SH Blog: Dwight Fallout: Rockets Won’t Trade Asik; Hickson to Nuggets; Delfino to Bucks
The Dwight Howard signing is behind us. The fallout is happening now — in Houston, in Los Angeles, and around the rest of the NBA. First and foremost, Omer Asik has asked for a trade out of Houston, but the Rockets are refusing his request. They believe Asik could be a valuable asset to play alongside Howard. [Read more…]
Euroleague Update: Bobby Brown Ties Euroleague Scoring Record
Bobby Brown tied the Euroleague single-game scoring record on Friday night with 41 points on the road against Fenerbahce Ulker. [Read more…]